Combination container holder and storage receptacle

ABSTRACT

The combination container holder and storage receptacle provides a holder for a beverage container and further provides a storage receptacle for personal items, as well as providing a waste-receiving chamber. The combination container holder and storage receptacle includes a central hollow support adapted for grasping by a user&#39;s hand, a base portion, and an upper mouth portion. The base portion includes at least one sidewall, a lower wall and an upper wall. A waste-receiving chamber is defined between a lower portion of the sidewall, the upper wall and the lower wall. An upper portion of the sidewall extends above the upper wall to define the storage receptacle. The upper mouth portion is secured to an upper end of the central hollow support and is adapted for receiving a container. The mouth portion and the central hollow support form a channel for transporting waste into the waste-receiving chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to receptacles, and particularly, to a combination beverage container holder, storage receptacle, and waste receptacle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cigarette butt receptacle devices, also sometimes referred to as “smokers' urns”, have become very common as laws forbidding smoking within buildings have proliferated. The laws have resulted in the creation of designated smoking areas. Because cigarettes cannot be brought into certain buildings, or within certain areas of buildings, accumulations of discarded cigarette butts at entrances and in the designated smoking areas quickly became a problem. To address this, cigarette butt receptacle devices are placed at the entrances and in the designated smoking areas.

These devices share several common structural features in order to accomplish the primary function of the device; i.e., receiving, storing and snuffing large quantities of smoldering cigarette butts for later disposal. These common features generally consist of an open-topped cigarette butt-retaining container formed from a non-flammable and durable material, along with a base to receive the container, and a relatively narrow, elongated, vertically-oriented receiving tube or chute, with the receiving tube being provided with one or more small openings for insertion of the cigarette butts.

The narrow receiving tube serves two purposes. The first purpose is to direct the falling cigarette butts into the open-topped container. The second purpose is to limit and restrict airflow into and out of the device such that any smoke or odor emanating from the smoldering butts is retained within the device and, further, such that the amount of oxygen within the device remains limited in order to more quickly snuff out the smoldering cigarette butts.

Such devices are typically bulky and are designed for use by many smokers within a public area. Typical cigarette butt receptacles are not sized or shaped for portable, or individual, usage. However, in certain areas, such as within bars or casinos, or around swimming pools or other outdoor areas, smokers often mingle with non-smokers. Thus, a portable or individual cigarette butt receptacle would be desirable.

In such environments, smokers often also carry beverages, as well as common personal items, such as keys, mobile telephones and the like. It would be desirable to provide a single device that serves not only as a portable, individual cigarette butt receptacle, but also as a carrying device for beverages and personal articles.

Thus, a combination container holder and storage receptacle solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The combination container holder and storage receptacle provides a support and raised holder for a beverage container, such as a soda can, and further provides a storage receptacle for personal items, such as keys, mobile telephones or the like, as well as providing a waste-receiving chamber. The combination container holder and storage receptacle includes a central hollow support adapted for grasping by a user's hand, a base portion, and an upper mouth portion.

The base portion includes at least one sidewall, a lower wall and an upper wall. The at least one sidewall has an upper portion and a lower portion, with a waste-receiving chamber being defined between the lower portion of the at least one sidewall, the upper wall and the lower wall. A central opening is formed through the upper wall, and a lower end of the central hollow support is secured to a perimeter thereof. The upper portion of the at least one sidewall extends above the upper wall. The upper wall, the upper portion of the at least one sidewall, and an outer surface of the central hollow support define a receptacle for receiving personal items or the like.

The upper mouth portion includes at least one upper sidewall, an open upper end, and an open lower end. The open lower end is secured to an upper end of the central hollow support, and the at least one upper sidewall is dimensioned and configured for securely and removably receiving a beverage container. The upper mouth portion and the central hollow support form a fluid-tight channel for transporting waste into the waste-receiving chamber defined in the base portion.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination container holder and storage receptacle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the combination container holder and storage receptacle according to the present invention, broken away and partially in section to show details thereof.

FIG. 3A is an environmental partial perspective view of the combination container holder and storage receptacle of FIG. 1, showing the upper end forming a drink holder for a can of soda.

FIG. 3B is an environmental partial perspective view of the combination container holder and storage receptacle of FIG. 1, showing the upper end forming a drink holder for a coffee cup.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the upper end of the combination container holder and storage receptacle of FIG. 1, illustrating an optional cylindrical collar exploded from the drink holder.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the combination container holder and storage receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the upper end of an alternative embodiment of a combination container holder and storage receptacle according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the lower end of an alternative embodiment of a combination container holder and storage receptacle according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A, the combination container holder and storage receptacle 10 provides a support and raised holder for a beverage container, such as a soda can S, and also provides a storage receptacle for personal items, such as keys K, poker chips P, a mobile telephone M, or the like, as well as providing a waste-receiving chamber 25. It should be understood that the soda can S of FIG. 3A, as well as the personal items shown in FIG. 2, are illustrated for exemplary purposes only. The upper mouth portion 28 of combination container holder and storage receptacle 10 may be dimensioned and configured to receive any desired type of container, and the receptacle 27 may similarly be dimensioned and configured to receive any desired type of articles or personal items.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the combination container holder and storage receptacle 10 includes a central hollow post or support 12 adapted for grasping by a user's hand, a base portion 18, and an upper mouth portion 28. Preferably, as shown, the central hollow support 12 is substantially cylindrical, although it should be understood that the central hollow support 12 may have any desired dimension or configuration. The central hollow support 12 may form a unitary tube having a fixed height, or, as illustrated in FIG. 6, may be replaced by a telescopic tube 112, allowing the user to selectively adjust the height thereof.

The base portion 18 includes at least one sidewall 20, a lower wall 22 and an upper wall 24. Preferably, the at least one sidewall 20 is formed as an annular wall extending from the perimeter of a substantially circular lower wall 22, although it should be understood that the at least one sidewall 20, the lower wall 22 and the upper wall 24 may have any desired relative dimensions or configuration. The at least one sidewall 20 includes an upper portion 21 and a lower portion 23. A waste-receiving chamber 25 is defined by the lower portion 23 of the at least one sidewall 20, the upper wall 24 and the lower wall 22. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the waste-receiving chamber 25 may be filled with water W or with any other desired material (such as sand or the like), which not only provides a balancing weight or ballast for the combination container holder and storage receptacle 10, but allows for cigarette butts C to be safely extinguished and disposed of therein. It should be understood that cigarette butts C are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that the waste-receiving chamber 25 may receive any desired waste to be disposed of at a later time.

A central opening 26 is formed through the upper wall 24. The lower end 16 of the central hollow support 12 is secured to a perimeter of the central opening 26. The upper portion 21 of the at least one sidewall 20 extends above the upper wall 24. The upper wall 24, the upper portion 21 of the at least one sidewall 20, and the outer surface of the central hollow support 12 define the receptacle 27 for receiving personal items or the like. As shown in FIG. 7, in an alternative embodiment, a pair of lids 50 may each be pivotally secured to opposed upper edges of the upper portion 21 of at least one sidewall 20 by hinges 52 or the like, allowing the receptacle 27 for storage of personal items to be selectively covered. Preferably, as shown, each lid 50 is substantially semicircular, and has a semicircular recess defined centrally along its diameter that fits closely against the central support 12.

The upper mouth portion 28 includes at least one upper sidewall 32, an open upper end 31 and an open lower end. The open lower end is secured to an upper end 14 of the central hollow support 12, and the at least one upper sidewall 32 is dimensioned and configured for securely and removably receiving the beverage container. Preferably, the at least one upper sidewall 32 includes an upper portion 33 and a lower portion 30. The upper portion 33 is substantially cylindrical, and the lower portion 30 is substantially frustoconical. As noted above, the upper portion 33 may be dimensioned and configured to securely receive a particular container, or, as illustrated in FIG. 4, one or more cylindrical collars 40 may be provided. The collar(s) 40 is removably received within the upper mouth portion 28, and permits the user to selectively adjust the inner diameter of the mouth 28 for a particular type of container. Additionally, one or more slots 34 may be formed in the upper portion 33 so that the handle H of a mug, tea cup or the like may project therethrough, as illustrated in FIG. 38.

The upper mouth portion 28 and the central hollow support 12 form a fluid-tight channel for transporting waste, such as cigarette butts C, into the waste-receiving chamber 25 defined in the base portion 18. Preferably, the combination container holder and storage receptacle 10 is formed from a relatively lightweight material, allowing the combination container holder and storage receptacle 10 to be easily transported by the user with one hand. The material is also preferably resistant to corrosion, heat and flame. As noted above, and as shown in the top view of FIG. 5, the combination container holder and storage receptacle 10 preferably is substantially cylindrical, although it should be understood that the mouth portion 28, the central hollow support 12 and the base portion 18 may each have any desired relative dimensions or configuration. Exemplary dimensions for the combination container holder and storage receptacle 10 include an overall height of approximately twenty-four inches. The lower portion 23 of the annular sidewall 20 has a height of approximately four inches, and the upper portion 21 of the annular sidewall 20 has a height of approximately four inches.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A combination container holder and storage receptacle, comprising: an elongated central hollow support adapted for grasping by a user's hand; a base portion having at least one sidewall, a lower wall and an upper wall defining a waste-receiving chamber, the upper wall having a central opening defining a perimeter formed therein, the central hollow support being mounted on the perimeter of the central opening to form a conduit for depositing waste in the waste-receiving chamber; and an upper mouth portion having at least one upper sidewall, an open upper end and an open lower end, the open lower end being attached to the central hollow support at the end opposite the waste-receiving chamber, the at least one upper sidewall being dimensioned and configured for securely and removably receiving a beverage container, the upper mouth portion and the central hollow support forming a fluid-tight channel for transporting waste into the waste-receiving chamber
 2. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one upper sidewall of said upper mouth portion has at least one slot formed therein adapted for receiving a handle of the beverage container.
 3. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one upper sidewall of said upper mouth portion comprises an upper substantially cylindrical portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being substantially frustoconical.
 4. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 1, wherein the central hollow support is a telescopic tube, whereby the user may selectively adjust the height thereof.
 5. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one upper sidewall of said upper mouth portion is substantially cylindrical, the combination container holder and storage receptacle further comprising at least one removable cylindrical collar removably received within said upper mouth portion so that the user may selectively adjust the inner diameter thereof.
 6. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall of said base portion includes upper and lower portions, the lower portion thereof defining an outer wall of the waste-receiving chamber, the upper portion thereof extending above the upper wall, the upper wall, the upper portion of the at least one sidewall and an outer surface of said central hollow support defining a receptacle for storage of personal items.
 7. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 6, further comprising at least one lid pivotally mounted to an upper edge of the upper portion of the at least one sidewall for selectively covering the receptacle.
 8. A combination container holder and storage receptacle, comprising: an elongated central hollow support adapted for grasping by a user's hand; a base portion having at least one sidewall, a lower wall and an upper wall, the at least one sidewall having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion of the at least one sidewall, the upper wall and the lower wall defining a waste-receiving chamber, the upper wall having a central opening formed therein, the central opening defining a perimeter, the central hollow support is attached to the perimeter of the central opening to form a conduit for depositing waste in the waste-receiving chamber, the upper portion of the at least one sidewall extending above the upper wall so that the upper wall, the upper portion of the at least one sidewall, and the central hollow support define an annular receptacle for storage of personal items; and an upper mouth portion having at least one upper sidewall, an open upper end and an open lower end, the open lower end being attached to the central hollow support at the end opposite the waste-receiving chamber, the at least one upper sidewall being dimensioned and configured for securely and removably receiving a beverage container, the upper mouth portion and the central hollow support forming a fluid-tight channel for transporting waste into the waste-receiving chamber.
 9. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 8, further comprising at least one lid pivotally mounted to an upper edge of the upper portion of the at least one sidewall for selectively covering the receptacle.
 10. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one upper sidewall of said upper mouth portion has at least one slot formed therein adapted for receiving a handle of the beverage container.
 11. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one upper sidewall of said upper mouth portion comprises an upper substantially cylindrical portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being substantially frustoconical.
 12. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 8, wherein the central hollow support is a telescopic tube, whereby the user may selectively adjust the height thereof.
 13. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one upper sidewall of said upper mouth portion is substantially cylindrical, the combination container holder and storage receptacle further comprising at least one removable cylindrical collar removably received within said upper mouth portion so that the user may selectively adjust the inner diameter thereof.
 14. A combination container holder and storage receptacle, comprising: an elongated, substantially cylindrical central hollow support adapted for grasping by a user's hand; a base portion having an annular sidewall, a substantially circular lower wall, and a substantially circular upper wall, the annular sidewall having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion of the annular sidewall, the upper wall and the lower wall defining a waste-receiving chamber, the upper wall having a substantially circular central opening formed therein, the central opening defining a perimeter, the central hollow support being attached to the perimeter of the central opening to form a conduit for depositing waste into the waste-receiving chamber, the upper portion of the at least one sidewall extending above the upper wall, the upper wall, the upper portion of the annular sidewall and the central hollow support defining an annular receptacle for storage of personal items; and an upper mouth portion having an annular upper sidewall, an open upper end and an open lower end, the open lower end being attached to the central hollow support at the end opposite the waste-receiving chamber, the annular upper sidewall being dimensioned and configured for securely and removably receiving a beverage container, the upper mouth portion and the central hollow support forming a fluid-tight channel for transporting waste into the waste-receiving chamber.
 15. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 14, further comprising at least one lid pivotally mounted to an upper edge of the upper portion of the annular sidewall for selectively covering the receptacle.
 16. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one lid comprises a pair of substantially semicircular lids.
 17. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 14, wherein the annular upper sidewall of said upper mouth portion has at least one slot formed therein adapted for receiving a handle of the beverage container.
 18. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 14, wherein the annular upper sidewall of said upper mouth portion comprises an upper substantially cylindrical portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being substantially frustoconical.
 19. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 14, wherein the central hollow support is a telescopic tube, whereby the user may selectively adjust the height thereof.
 20. The combination container holder and storage receptacle as recited in claim 14, further comprising at least one removable cylindrical collar removably received within said upper mouth portion so that the user may selectively adjust the inner diameter thereof. 